Some Hints and Tips when traveling in France

No, it’s not something you can completely escape. Your trip to France will never look like a scene from “Midnight in Paris”, a poetic deambulation in the heart of a post card capital.

Yes, you have to squeeze like a wedge in a tight space to get into the metros during rush hour. Yes, it’s possible to be robbed off by taxi drivers who prefer to cruise along the paths of schoolchildren rather than take the expressways. Regardless, your stay in France will measure up to your expectations! And to make life easier for you, So Frenchy gives you hints and tips Made in France…

Arriving in Paris

If you’re coming from Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, choose to take the public transportation (RER B train) because it’s the least expensive and fastest way to reach Paris. The RER station is located in Terminal 2 (between E/F and A/B/C/D). If you arrive in Paris on a Monday, it’s better to buy the Navigo weekly pass (only 33,90 euros for unlimited rides from Monday to Sunday within Paris and the nearby suburbs, including the Versailles palace for example – compared to 10 euros one way ticket to Paris). For more information visit http://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/c_21137/forfaits-navigo-mois-et-semaine.

Try to catch the direct train to Paris (every 15 minutes except during peak hours) and if there are announced delays, give up right away! You may then opt to take the bus (Roissy Bus: stops at T1, T2BD, T2AC, T2EF, T3) or the taxi (it costs about 60 euros to go to the center of Paris).

If you’re coming from Orly airport, we advise you to take the Orly Bus (stops at Ouest and Sud terminals) or the RER B train via Anthony.

Moving around Ile-de-France

If you’ll be using the public transportation for at least 4x a day, it’s cheaper to get the one day pass (reduced rate available for those below 26 years old) than the single “Ticket t+” designed for occasional travelers and valid only for one trip. For more information visit http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21193/titres-pour-1-journee/.

If the weather is pleasant, you may also take the Vélib (self-service bicycle system). You can get a 1-day or 7-day subscription from any Vélib station. For more information visit: http://en.velib.paris.fr/

Moving around France

To get to Marseille, Avignon, Lon, Strasbourg, Lille, Orléans, Reims: we advise you to take the train, it’s the fastest and most direct way to reach your destination (you may book your tickets on www.voyages-sncf.com). Persons below 26 years old can get 25% off the rates with “billets 12/25”!

To get to Nice, Bordeaux, or Brittany, the fastest way is to take the plane. You may book your tickets using the www.govoyage.com flight search engine or via www.airfrance.com.

Whether you’re taking the trains or planes, the rates are always cheaper if you book them in advance (3 months in advance for trains and 6 months in advance for planes). Therefore, make your reservations as early as possible.

Need some advice or additional information?

Write us here at So Frenchy, it’s our pleasure to respond to your queries!

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